One of the most prevalent threats to your internet security in 2010 is scareware.
Scareware has been around for a while now but seemed to become a more mainstream means of conning people in the second half of last year.
What Is Scareware?
Scareware typically refers to bogus software products that are marketed with bogus sales tactics that prey on a user’s fears.
For this reason, scareware often centres around what would appear to be security products, such as antivirus programs and adware removers.
Surfers are faced with online advertisements which attempt to scare them into thinking their computer is infected with a virus or some other type of malware.
The same advertisement will then, conveniently, offer the solution. At a price.
Should you be duped into buying the price you may well then find yourself rather disappointed with what you have just purchased – such scareware programs either tend not to work at all or are malware themselves.
Worse yet, some may install Trojans designed to steal credit card and other personal information that may be stored on your computer or input by you when you are on the web.
Defending Against Scareware
Common sense is king here.
Never download software you have to pay for from sites you have never heard of before or have not built a level of trust with.
Whilst many security vendors do offer free antivirus programs and such like you should remember that hackers also try to give their junk away.
Check out the link below to find free antivirus programs from well-known companies that you can trust.